Question

Hess's mechanism for moving plates was:

A. Continental drift.
B. Volcanic eruptions.
C. Ocean currents.
D. Mantle convection.

Answer 1

Harry Hess proposed that mantle convection is the mechanism for moving tectonic plates, supporting the concept of continental drift. The correct answer is A. Continental drift.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hess's theory on the mechanism for plate movement centered on mantle convection.

He built upon Alfred Wegener's continental drift concept, proposing that the slow motions within Earth's mantle, driven by mantle convection—a process where heat from the interior causes mantle circulation—were responsible for moving tectonic plates.

This mechanism explains the gradual drift of continents, the formation of mountains, and the creation of geological features like the Hawaiian island chain.

Hess's contribution significantly advanced our understanding of the dynamic processes shaping the Earth's crust and laid the foundation for modern plate tectonics theory.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. Continental drift.

Answer 2

Hess's mechanism for moving plates was Mantle convection. so the correct option is D. Mantle convection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hess proposed the theory of plate tectonics, suggesting that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. The movement of these plates is primarily driven by mantle convection currents. so the correct option is D. Mantle convection.

Mantle Convection Process:

Mantle convection refers to the movement of rock material in the Earth's mantle due to the transfer of heat. This process is a crucial mechanism underlying various geological phenomena.

Heat Transfer:

Heat generated from the Earth's interior, primarily from radioactive decay, drives mantle convection. The hot material rises towards the surface, and as it cools, it descends back into the mantle.

Tectonic Plate Motion:

Mantle convection is directly linked to the motion of tectonic plates. As the rising and sinking material circulates, it creates horizontal forces that drive the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.

Geological Consequences:

The consequences of mantle convection are profound, influencing the formation of mid-ocean ridges, subduction zones, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. It is a dynamic process that shapes the Earth's surface over geological timescales.